tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41182812288175836122018-03-06T17:12:24.212-08:00So She Says...From the Zen Room: My thoughts on family, spirituality, books, movies, bargains, possibly politics.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-12312421351815723062015-08-13T13:30:00.001-07:002015-08-13T13:31:54.004-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovSs9F56N78/Vcz8W-85VFI/AAAAAAAAAl0/v2lOPkpke2s/s1600/sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovSs9F56N78/Vcz8W-85VFI/AAAAAAAAAl0/v2lOPkpke2s/s320/sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This morning I finished knitting a sweater for Miss Emma. Today she is 5 months old. I celebrate her love of laughter, her beauty and her early wisdom. She knows all is well and good.<br /><br />Writing and knitting are my top two creative outlets. These days I simply go from one to the other. <br /><br />I love this quote by Abigail Thomas, author of "A Three Dog Life," and latest, "What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir."<br /><br />"Nothing is wasted when you are a writer. The stuff that doesn't work has to be written to make way for the stuff that might."<br /><br />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-89775525391478020692015-08-12T14:39:00.001-07:002015-08-12T14:39:54.106-07:00August 12, 2015<br /><br />Received this the other day from my "writing coach on all things spiritual," Rev. Geoff Layng.<br /><br />Rev. Geoff prays with me often in keeping my focus on writing a book on adoption and he also reminds me that I can do this - with the help of God, my co-creator.<br /><br />"We live in a holographic (inner connected) universe. Everything alive has consciousness. At the subatomic level of life everything is connected to Universal Consciousness. When we change our consciousness, we are changing the world's consciousness. Know that consciousness directly effects our reality. We can direct energy to create a new outcome. Our thoughts and beliefs become the udder of new realities. Time is not what it appears to be. It does not flow on one direction. The future exists simultaneously with the past.<br /><br />"The book you are writing today is not the book you would write yesterday. We have slipped into a new awareness that is bringing us closer to new world consciousness. Your writings need to address this change." - Rev. Geoffrey LayngBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-20348910007056405042015-08-06T15:52:00.001-07:002015-08-07T18:13:23.031-07:00<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Wrapped in a circle of love<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I am knitting a pink wool scarf for my oldest child. Nothing new in the way of knitting, except this is for a daughter I have never seen. I don’t even know her name. On her birth certificate, I filled in the blank, “Tiffany Jo.” I’m certain it was changed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Above is the first paragraph in the draft of my latest book, as yet untitled. Writing this book is my most challenging endeavor. Thankfully, God has signed on as my co-creator.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">My story is about adoption: Finding and celebrating the reunion with my birth daughter after placing her in a closed adoption, and the recent birth of my adopted granddaughter through an open adoption.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">After giving birth to my daughter in 1966, I started college, “moving on” as I was told to do. However, I did not move on. I grieved, silently, for 42 years.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In those first months of higher education, my college roommate taught me how to knit. Sitting next to me she often counted, in her native language, each stitch - un,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">deux,&nbsp;trios,&nbsp;quatre, cinq, six, sept,&nbsp;huit,&nbsp;neuf, dix, etc. From that first row of knitted&nbsp;stitches, wrapping wool around two sticks, has comforted me throughout my adulthood. I am forever&nbsp;grateful to my dear friend.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">My book, again as yet untitled, will knit together family, friends, spirituality, the joy of reunion and creativity, and show how we are all connected through&nbsp;synchronicity.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Below is my column that&nbsp;was published in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laguna Woods Globe. </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This explains why I retired/rewired from <i>The Orange County Register</i>.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">June 4, 2015</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Globe editor leaves post to take a new path<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the past 16 years, I have been an editor, reporter and columnist at the <i>Orange County Register</i>. I am grateful for all I have learned and experienced. As anyone knows, who has ever worked in a newsroom, no day is the same; news happens 24/7.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">What I have witnessed in the Laguna Woods bureau for the past 4 plus years is that it is never too late to fulfill a dream, even if it terrifies you. My dream has been to write a book about adoption, all sides of the triangle. So to accomplish this challenging endeavor, I am leaving my position as the city editor of the <i>Laguna Woods Globe</i> on June 12.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">What has prompted this sudden departure is this past spring I experienced another side of adoption.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">On March 13, beautiful Emma Janee Virata-Potter, weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces, 21 inches long, became my granddaughter, a long-awaited gift. I was fortunate to be at the birth along with my son Andrew, his husband Michael and his mother Tita, in Oklahoma City. At the hospital, nurses named our assigned room, “the daddies and the grans.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">You see, Emma has been born into an open adoption. Throughout her life she will know her biological family, through visits, photos and that wonderful invention FaceTime. The daddies didn’t want the birth mother, like me, to see her baby for the first time 42 years later.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">In a December 2011 <i>Globe</i> column, I wrote about a miracle of love journey, “Some day wrapped in a blanket of love.” At the time, my son and his husband had just joined with an agency with the intention of adopting a baby. They went through months of weekend seminars, home study visits, and physicals, parenting classes, all with grace. When their website went “live,” we waited for a pregnant woman to choose them to be the parents of her baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">While my daughters, Juliet and Marilyn, and I knitted blankets, we prayed for a baby to be placed in the arms of these wonderful men. We had to wait almost four years; however, our prayers were answered to absolute perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miss Emma has brought so much joy to our family. She smiles all the time, doesn’t even fuss when I dress her up in sparkly pink ruffled dresses and socks and big hair bows. My little princess loves lots of bling, just like me. My husband and I are grateful that Emma’s daddies allow us to stay in their San Diego home almost every weekend – so far no complaints.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">I hope you will follow me on this journey of writing a book about my experience with adoption.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">If you have any comments or you have been touched by adoption, feel free to send me an email at <a href="mailto:barbarawrites4love@gmail.com">barbarawrites4love@gmail.com&nbsp;</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Your emails will not be published.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br 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mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-78488732613902746622011-03-28T17:06:00.000-07:002011-03-28T17:16:33.076-07:00With the boys<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MRsP8_1Gnw/TZEkNZkqV9I/AAAAAAAAAW8/dfYLDLLpq-o/s1600/IMG00138A.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589288425165051858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MRsP8_1Gnw/TZEkNZkqV9I/AAAAAAAAAW8/dfYLDLLpq-o/s320/IMG00138A.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div>And who says Laguna Woods Village isn't a happenin' place?</div><br /><div>Sunday evening we saw the fabulous singers, "Oh, What a Night," at a sold-out concert in Laguna Woods. These men were so talented and entertaining in their tribute to Frank Valli and the Four Seasons. I am wearing a Jersey Boys jacket that I purchased when we saw the Jersey Boys in Las Vegas. The guy on the right left the stage during the concert, walked out into the audience and sat on my lap while singing a song from "Grease." Alan was amused; I loved it. If you are ever in one of the cities where they are entertaining, be sure to go and see them. Here's their web site: <a href="http://www.ohwhatanighttribute.com/">http://www.ohwhatanighttribute.com/</a> </div><br /><div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-57801725818219733872011-03-20T19:14:00.000-07:002011-03-20T19:26:24.952-07:00Book Launch<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRAhTGP1l-g/TYa2yYzdgmI/AAAAAAAAAW0/yW9aes7mr80/s1600/booklaunch2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586353364567687778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRAhTGP1l-g/TYa2yYzdgmI/AAAAAAAAAW0/yW9aes7mr80/s320/booklaunch2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>On March 3, we launched a new book, "She Writes," an anthology, edited and produced by MaryAnn Easley of Windflower Press. The event was held in Laguna Woods and the evening was filled with wonderful food, books and readings by local poets. One of my stories, "Message from a Stranger" is in the book. I was the emcee. Below is a photo with my friends and sister writers: Nita, left, and Michele, center.</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-77496011077252119082011-03-20T19:04:00.000-07:002011-03-20T19:07:20.224-07:00All in the Family<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8YuBVOfpQs/TYayxCLR4qI/AAAAAAAAAWs/sqmQXnPabWc/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586348943267193506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8YuBVOfpQs/TYayxCLR4qI/AAAAAAAAAWs/sqmQXnPabWc/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This is why we have children. (Keith, 3 years old)</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-6705534270475187202011-02-28T20:27:00.000-08:002011-02-28T20:45:30.989-08:00Fabulous booksI just finished reading the best novel, "Left Neglected" by Lisa Genova. It's about a mom who is on the fast track in an affluent Boston suburb. She leads a hectic, career driven life, but it's cut short when she is in an accident and suffers a brain injury, which erases the left side of her world. It was fascinating to me how I didn't like her in the beginning - I couldn't stand how she ignored her children, but in the end she finds happiness and peace for herself and her family. I had never heard of this type of brain injury and found it fascinating.<br /><br />The one I am reading right now is "A Widow's Story" by Joyce Carol Oates. It's about life after her husband dies. Incredibly sad, but it's helping me understand what some of the widows go through in Laguna Woods.<br /><br />Jodi Picoult's newest book, "Sing you Home" arrives on the shelves tomorrow. I plan to be first in line. It even comes with a CD. I won't be buying this one on my Kindle, which by the way I love, as I know Juli will want to read this one. Right now I only buy books on my Kindle that I know my daughter won't want to read. We're still all about sharing.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-72583007547997037232011-02-28T19:58:00.000-08:002011-02-28T20:25:13.354-08:00Back in the trenchesIt's been a long time since I've posted anything on my blog, actually since September 2010. You see, I have returned to the Orange County Register. I'm now the editor of the Laguna Woods Globe. So I haven't had a lot of time to sit at my computer and write on my blog. I've been busy trying to improve the Globe and it has taken most of my time.<br /><br />Publishing a newspaper for a community of 19,000 people where the median age is 79 has its challenges. It's tough keeping the readers happy, getting all their club news in each week and still maintaining the truth that we are a newspaper. Some were unhappy when we published their "secret" that part-time employees receive perks. Nothing wrong with that; I believe that the residents should know where some of their homeowners fees are being spent. In five years, $400,000 has been paid in perks.<br /><br />I have learned some valuable lessons and secrets about aging: We must take care of our bodies, have enough money to be able to travel and take in concerts, etc., stay active, and stay connected to our families. Loneliness is a major problem with aging. If one is active, and I mean physically as well as mentally, one can refrain from being so cranky. The smallest things appear to set some aging people off. For example, one woman calls every week to complain about the paper and says the most horrible things to me. This week she didn't like the business story. "So what are you going to do? Write about every store that opens in Laguna Woods?" I said, "Yes."<br />She freaked for the next 10 minutes. One old guy threatened to "take me out." Thankfully security is just around the corner from my office. Many of the people are so kind and that's what keeps me smiling.<br /><br />Although returning to full-time employment can be a drag, this job has had some fun times. Last week I was interviewed for their cable channel by two TV talk show hosts. The program is "Write Now." I was asked questions about my career and my work now at the Globe. Every other Thursday I also do the news with the TV anchor; I'm learning some great things about TV work.<br /><br />My biggest news, however, hasn't been my return to work. The Royals are getting married on my birthday! On April 29 they will say their vows and throw a huge party at Buckingham Palace or one of their other castles. I'm still amazed that they didn't call me to see if I minded that they were taking the spotlight off my big day. As Andy said, "Mom, did they not know it was your birthday?"<br /><br />I will be babysitting Keith that day so we will watch the wedding on TV. Then while Kate, William and the family have their post wedding dinner, I will celebrate with my family, probably with hot dogs, beans and cake on paper plates. But I can assure you, I will have just as much fun.<br /><br />Many years ago I watched William's mother Princess Diana get married on TV and dreamed about how wonderful it would be to be a princess. Of course, we know how that fairy tale ended. Anyway I watched it while my two youngest ran around in diapers. This time I will watch it with my grandson who is in diapers. Where did those years go?Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-4059249836681944492010-08-27T19:08:00.000-07:002010-08-27T19:23:08.055-07:00Write your memoirs<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/THhyJQrzN1I/AAAAAAAAAV0/pkvUxmfJOOs/s1600/jello.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510279647510869842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/THhyJQrzN1I/AAAAAAAAAV0/pkvUxmfJOOs/s320/jello.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What could you write about the Jell-O of your past? Did your mom put canned fruit in it or cover it with cream cheese or whipping cream? Could you write a six-word memoir on this fruity tasting wiggly gelatin?</div><div>My fall memoir writing class begins Wednesday, Oct. 6 and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 10. It will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Lobo Elementary School (off Pico and Vista Montana), San Clemente. The cost is $99. This class is through the Capistrano Unified School District's Capistrano Adult School program. To register go online: <a href="http://www.asaonlinereg.com/capistrano/Classes.asp?txtAction=LoadSections&amp;txtCourseGroupID=15&amp;txtCourseCode=96726">http://www.asaonlinereg.com/capistrano/Classes.asp?txtAction=LoadSections&amp;txtCourseGroupID=15&amp;txtCourseCode=96726</a></div><br /><div></div><div>Putting your past on paper can be a gift of healing for yourself and a gift to your loved ones. Take the journey and come celebrate your life. </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-48825443199602861492010-08-18T09:11:00.000-07:002010-08-18T09:17:43.953-07:00The next David McCullough?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGwHO0anacI/AAAAAAAAAVc/agcvx3lOEII/s1600/Potter_Andrew_IMG_1000-4x6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506784395537115586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGwHO0anacI/AAAAAAAAAVc/agcvx3lOEII/s320/Potter_Andrew_IMG_1000-4x6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I’m wondering if my son Andrew, the Chief Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors for San Diego County, has traded in his long title for that of a documentary narrator. If you click on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/countysandiego#p/a/u/0/YM5CVR6yxo4">http://www.youtube.com/countysandiego#p/a/u/0/YM5CVR6yxo4</a><br />you can watch Andrew explaining the art work in the federal building. I have seen the art and it’s beautiful, representing San Diego families at work and play. Always a proud mama – good work Andrew.</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-91011068341091761832010-08-12T20:25:00.000-07:002010-08-12T20:28:07.317-07:00Eat, Pray, Love opens tomorrow<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGS7tsb7fQI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xT2PLFM8DYk/s1600/124_2496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504731038250401026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGS7tsb7fQI/AAAAAAAAAVM/xT2PLFM8DYk/s320/124_2496.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Tomorrow the long awaited movie, “Eat, Pray, Love,” opens with Julia Roberts. I can’t wait; I loved, loved the book. I plan to wear a skirt from India and some bangles to the theater. Above is a photo of the author Elizabeth Gilbert and I at a book signing at UCLA a couple of years ago. She was so kind and a great conversationalist. Check out her web site; she sells beautiful items from around the world. Someday I would like to visit her showroom. If you see the movie, e-mail me your thoughts. </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-33104722859664311442010-08-11T11:25:00.000-07:002010-08-12T09:41:58.445-07:00More photos<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGQkSOpR3cI/AAAAAAAAAVE/xedtSVulO8I/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504564540141067714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGQkSOpR3cI/AAAAAAAAAVE/xedtSVulO8I/s320/IMG_2098.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsyaopWVI/AAAAAAAAAU0/43egQsnkkDA/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504222045487585618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsyaopWVI/AAAAAAAAAU0/43egQsnkkDA/s320/IMG_2105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsyIgVXII/AAAAAAAAAUs/0MacwYt9McM/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504222040620883074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsyIgVXII/AAAAAAAAAUs/0MacwYt9McM/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsxuMh5gI/AAAAAAAAAUk/0JyA1JS1qGU/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504222033558496770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsxuMh5gI/AAAAAAAAAUk/0JyA1JS1qGU/s320/IMG_2100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsxeAKRgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/4crSsYcwoCI/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504222029211649538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLsxeAKRgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/4crSsYcwoCI/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLswyWVw2I/AAAAAAAAAUU/lFls5a6NNvo/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504222017493517154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TGLswyWVw2I/AAAAAAAAAUU/lFls5a6NNvo/s320/IMG_2090.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here are some more photos from our day of celebrating the removal of the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Note the cute kid holding the cool sign, never got his name. You can also hear what the mayor said on the Youtube video.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-90308800415767555282010-07-08T16:12:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:14:19.185-07:00Whole lotta shakin' goin' onJust to let you out of towners know we survived the 5.3 earthquake yesterday. Alan was cooking dinner and I had just arrived home from work. I was thankful that the 'quake didn't spill my wine. I felt another, smaller one, in the middle of the night,but it could have been Alan just turning over.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-20287896522477667642010-07-05T15:07:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:12:15.826-07:00Back on trackWhen I set out to write a blog a few months ago, my intention was to post different content every other day. But as you see I missed the entire month of June. Where did it go? I know I've been busy writing, teaching, working at the newspaper, babysitting, working in my garden and visiting with my oldest daughter, but that's not entirely all that has kept me from writing. I've been reading fiction.<br /><br />Just finished two great books: <em>The Weight of Shadows</em> by Alison Strobel and <em>The Art of Racing in the Rain</em> by Garth Stein (If you don’t run out and get a dog after reading this, then you’re cold, cold, cold.). I also have devoured two nonfictions: <em>Bedwetter</em> by Sarah Silverman, <em>Love Always, Petra</em> by Petra Nemcova, <em>Committed</em> by Elizabeth Gilbert and other entries in <em>Interstices: An Anthology of stories, memoirs, essays and poems</em>, of which my story is also included, “Knitting Us Together,” a story on finding Marilyn. These are only the books I can remember reading; I have probably read a few more in between.<br /><br />At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, I will be the 5-10 minute “sharer” at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley in San Juan Capistrano. My topic will be on how affirmative prayer is in the details. In other words, be careful what you pray and ask for - it always comes true. I’m anxious to try the skills my mentor Rev. Geoff Layng has been teaching me.<br /><br />Today Alan and I had lunch in South San Clemente at an outdoor café. Talk about feeling blessed. While we munched away, six dolphins frolicked right in front of us catching those huge waves that are gracing the shoreline this weekend. “Our” dolphins jumped out of the water over and over and rode the waves like the best of surfers. Beautiful! A reminder as to why we live here in paradise.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-32853975739656744922010-05-31T20:39:00.000-07:002010-05-31T20:54:32.753-07:00Three decades plus six<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TASDuj3KEUI/AAAAAAAAATs/rAAWiXiOARw/s1600/IMG_2018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477647882713174338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TASDuj3KEUI/AAAAAAAAATs/rAAWiXiOARw/s320/IMG_2018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>And on my wedding day, my Dad said it would never last. Oh yeah! Well, OK, so Alan and I had only known each other for six weeks! But we proved to Dad that we could make it last - wish he was still around to know that we are still married! On May 25, Alan and I celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss. So what did we do? We visited a winery and got drunk, well I did - Alan said he didn't. I'm not sure about that, because he was really happy buying those nice bottles of wine. For our birthday gifts, Andrew and Mike gave us a private wine tasting at the Leonesse Cellars in Temecula. The tasting included speciality cheeses and chocolates served with seven excellent wines with a really cute guy who presented the wines. To know more about the winery go to: </div><div><a href="http://www.leonessecellars.com/">http://www.leonessecellars.com/</a></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-71683733536082524262010-05-31T17:26:00.000-07:002010-05-31T17:30:49.278-07:00Read this!I am currently reading a wonderful book, a novel - who knew? It's called "The Help," by Kathryn Stockett. So that I don't have to reinvent the wheel here is what Publishers Weekly writes: "...set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams." Fabulous read!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-37200688116495760932010-05-31T17:04:00.000-07:002010-05-31T17:15:54.839-07:00Southern California Word WeaversDuring the summer months I am holding a memoir writing class. It's held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pain du Monde, a coffee shop on the corner of Niguel Road and Ritz Carlton Drive on Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point (near the Ritz-Carlton). When it's cold, we meet inside, otherwise we sit outside. On alternate Tuesdays everyone reads their work and we critique, on the other Tuesdays I teach you how to write the story of your life. I also take home everyone's work so that I can further edit and proofread, returning material the following week. Please feel free to join us. The cost is $10 each Tuesday. If you have any questions about our group and want to join us, just e-mail me at <a href="mailto:barbarawrites4love@gmail.com">barbarawrites4love@gmail.com</a><br /><br />Our next writing prompt is: "All the other kids had... but I didn't."Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-39298009958958789332010-05-31T16:58:00.000-07:002010-05-31T17:42:32.247-07:00At the moviesThis past week I have seen two really great movies: "Letters from Juliet," and "Sex and the City 2," (much better and way more hilarious than the first one). Don't miss them - fabulous entertainment. You won't believe it when you see the fabulous Liza Minnelli kick up her heels in a song and dance, in the "Sex and the City" movie - wonderful! <strong>Warning:</strong> These are chick flicks, so you might want to leave the male at home. However, I heard the gays loved it. For movie times and theater, go to <a href="http://www.movies.com/">http://www.movies.com/</a>.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-33062593189014008252010-05-24T21:35:00.000-07:002010-05-31T20:39:13.332-07:00There's a doctor in the house<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TARLty67v_I/AAAAAAAAATk/F27dUFaIUNY/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477586296924520434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/TARLty67v_I/AAAAAAAAATk/F27dUFaIUNY/s320/IMG_1995.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU8zuwR-I/AAAAAAAAATc/-yT-uaZWsmY/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475063175654164450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU8zuwR-I/AAAAAAAAATc/-yT-uaZWsmY/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU8kGwobI/AAAAAAAAATU/AVdAlhwWyqI/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475063171459883442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU8kGwobI/AAAAAAAAATU/AVdAlhwWyqI/s320/IMG_1980.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU7k-iOfI/AAAAAAAAATM/D8mEV1PXVHU/s1600/IMG_2003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475063154513951218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU7k-iOfI/AAAAAAAAATM/D8mEV1PXVHU/s320/IMG_2003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU7FDC4uI/AAAAAAAAATE/KhuQCyi27Jk/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475063145942934242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S_tU7FDC4uI/AAAAAAAAATE/KhuQCyi27Jk/s320/IMG_2011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Congratulations to our son-in-law, Michael Jason Virata, who graduated on May 23 from San Diego State University and UCSD with a Ph.D. in biology.<br /><br />“Dr. Mike” as he is now known in the family or as his brother Marc says, “We only need to call him that in public,” also has two master’s degrees. We are so proud of Mike. Now we can say, “Our son married a doctor.”<br /><br />We are also pleased that Dr. Mike is gainfully employed and has a new car!<br /><br />Photos of Michael's graduation:</div></div><div>(1) Michael with his parents, brother, niece, aunt and uncle and his husband Andrew</div><div>(2) Michael looking cool on stage</div><div>(3) Ben, Andrew and I holding what we may never have – a Ph.D. diploma - but then life is uncertain and always an adventure<br />(4) Michael and Andrew, so happy now that Michael no longer has to study every evening, weekend, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day…. </div><div><br /></div><div>(5) Michael showing his true colors</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-65582599029655521792010-05-09T22:35:00.000-07:002010-05-09T22:41:13.188-07:00Remembering Laurel Burch<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S-eb3_bqwQI/AAAAAAAAAS8/zc8qyVK-BYU/s1600/IMG_1962.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469511658687348994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S-eb3_bqwQI/AAAAAAAAAS8/zc8qyVK-BYU/s320/IMG_1962.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Darrolyn and I have for years shared the joy in shopping for and wearing the designs of Laurel Burch. We love the colorful art; it makes us smile. Last year when we learned that Laurel Burch had passed away, we dressed in the artist’s finery - shirts, socks, purses, earrings, scarves - and had our own memory service while having lunch. We also sent condolences to her family. This year they asked that those who had sent notes to the family, to please this year honor their mother’s spirit by sending photos wearing her designs. They would post them on Mother’s Day on their web site. So Alan took a photo of Darrolyn and I wearing our Laurel Burch stash and we sent it in. We are on the web site, <a href="http://www.laurelburch.com/">www.LaurelBurch.com</a> quite a ways into the slide show. Anyway above is the photo we sent in. </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-1135487454740850792010-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:002010-05-07T21:06:03.261-07:00Magical Mother's DayAs in the past four plus decades, last Mother’s Day I wondered and I wondered if I would ever hear the voice of my oldest child. Would I ever meet her, touch her, hold her? Would she want to meet me? How would her siblings react in knowing that they had an older sister? This Mother’s Day I don’t have to wonder, the Universe has taken care of everything and our reunion has been whole, complete and perfect.<br /><br />Today I received a card in the mail, a <strong>Mother’s Day</strong> card, from Marilyn. I feel so blessed that I know her and that I have held her, my beautiful daughter. Her wonderful three brothers and sister are also over the moon to know and love her. I am so grateful for the support of my children. Our family circle is now complete. This is a different Mother’s Day for me – one with an abundance of thanksgiving; I am finally at peace.<br /><br />One of many favorite memories this past year is the time when all of us were sitting around the family room talking and Juli said, “Can you believe it, in this group of five kids, there have been three fathers.” I almost croaked, so embarrassing. Then Marilyn piped up and said, “I just want to know who my father is.” Such ungrateful children, but I love them all equally and fully. This is the perfect Mother’s Day weekend!<br /><br />For all you mom’s out there, on Mother’s Day celebrate, kick back and take it easy. And just think in another 364 days, you’ll get to do it again. (I stole this from Hallmark.) Happy Mom's Day!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-37781744291524828672010-04-29T10:41:00.000-07:002010-04-29T20:25:29.749-07:00Celebrating life<em>“The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.”</em> Rabindranath Tagore<br /><br />What wise words from the poet, playwright, novelist and musician. Did you know he was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature? Love that.<br /><br />Today I am celebrating 62 years of living on this planet.<br /><br />To begin my day (after being served coffee in bed by Alan) I heard via the telephone the lovely voices of Darrolyn and Hans singing “Happy Birthday” to me – in harmony!<br /><br />Next Juli had all of her third grade students at Robinson Elementary School sing to me their rendition of the famous birthday song. What sweet voices - fabulous.<br /><br />I also had text messages from two of my kids. Marilyn was first at 6 a.m., Andrew second at 6:30 a.m., then calls from Juli at 8:45 a.m., Ben at 10:30 – still waiting to hear from Craig. No competition in this family…<br /><br />As I celebrate my birthday, what I am most thankful for is all the love of family and friends. Rev. Bruce said it beautifully last night at Wednesday Wisdom that love is all we need. When we have love everything else falls into place – our minds are at peace, we have more creativity, we are healthier, more focused…<br /><br />I am so abundantly grateful for all of you; each one of you has made a difference in my life.<br /><br />Life is so good these days that I can’t stop smiling, and I plan to keep smiling as long as I have teeth!<br /><br />Everyone have a great day! I’m off to have a mani/pedicure.Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-32892749646903687702010-04-25T15:15:00.000-07:002010-04-25T15:27:55.828-07:00Why Alan didn't go to church today<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S9TAD9UBC-I/AAAAAAAAAS0/xIsmqmJwvwY/s1600/Sarah-Parker2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464203422137912290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S9TAD9UBC-I/AAAAAAAAAS0/xIsmqmJwvwY/s320/Sarah-Parker2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just as Alan and I were about to climb into bed last night, I said, “Maybe we should sleep in the guest room; it’s too crowded in here.” Plus there was just too much hissing and fighting going on for sacred space in the queen-sized bed.<br /><br />So, instead of retreating to the next bedroom, we moved one of the “peeps” to the tree house next to the window, one between us and one on top of me. Snuggled in, we laughed. For about 15 years with four kids we usually had a kid or two in bed with us, waking us in the middle of the night with, “Mommy, can we sleep with you?”<br /><br />Now we were in bed with some other critters.<br /><br />This weekend we have been sleeping with one cat and <strong>two</strong> Yorkie pooches - our dog “Sarah Jessica,” and our granddog “Parker” and our cat “Amanda.”<br /><br />And during the day we have found ourselves returning to the dilemma of should we stay home, take them with us or get a babysitter?<br /><br />We have had options of things to do. We could go to a bead show, a play at the <a href="http://www.cabrilloplayhouse.org/">Cabrillo Theater </a>to see our friend Wade in the play, “Rumors,” the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books or to dinner at a friend’s home, but we don’t want to leave the dogs home alone. Sarah is still into chewing electrical cords. And we feel highly responsible for taking care of Parker, whom we are babysitting while his daddies are in Los Angeles celebrating their friend Matt’s 30th birthday. (Say, isn’t Matt still in fourth grade with Andrew plotting how to get out of class – like faking illness from a toxic classroom?) By the way, Parker is so well behaved, we are hoping she will teach some valuable lessons to Sarah today – like how not to poop in the house.<br /><br />Juli came over with Keith and visited on Saturday and offered to take them home with her so we could go out, but we worried that the dogs would escape through her cat door and run away. Besides I think her husband hates Sarah - he might open the cat door for her. (He gets annoyed when she occasionally poops in their house. Hey, I do clean it up.)<br /><br />Well, those are just excuses. We really don’t want to go anywhere because we are having too much fun. The dogs are hilarious, playing around us, running on the greenway, eating each other’s food, snuggling in our laps, digging up the seeds in my garden and tearing through the house chasing the cat. When we took a drive to get some pizza, the two pooches sat regally together in the baby car seat looking out the window, like this was the biggest treat of their day.<br /><br />Sometimes it’s relaxing to be trapped at home – a good excuse to finish reading a great book or watching a movie. <strong>Alan is using it to stay home from church today</strong>.<br /><br />Perhaps one of you might like to have that feel of being stuck at home, if so, just let me know, I’ll bring the animals over. </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-31853537352522437762010-04-25T15:03:00.000-07:002010-04-25T17:21:39.941-07:00Sharing thoughts on “Oprah” with Erica JongI have a confession to make: I have read every book written by Kitty Kelley. There I said it. So, of course I bought the book, “Oprah.”<br /><br />The reason I got the book is because Kelley wrote it. I like her books and I know that every word in each book has been researched, researched and researched again. I admire her tenacity in getting the truth in her biographies.<br /><br />Although not a lot is new and revealing in this book – the queen of TV has talked about many of her personal experiences on her show – it is interesting to see how she has changed a few things in her stories to make a better story. The same is true in the recent book about Martha Stewart, “Best Friends.” What I’ve learned in these two books about these powerful women is that they have worked extremely hard to get where they are and they have been relentless in their pursuit of huge wealth - no matter what it takes. I admire them for staying focused and on track. I find it also interesting that they have both worked diligently to “collect” famous friends - they are big-time name droppers – and this is what they appear to be quite proud of. But hey, they don’t know the Butterfly Six Plus Two: Darrolyn Fennelly, Hans Smith, Alan Potter, Wade and Kimberly Wooldridge, Karyn Allen and Rick Dale, to name just a few of my fabulous friends.<br /><br />Let's face it Martha and Oprah have made a wonderful difference in the lives of women and men around the world. For this they should be celebrated. Can you imagine a life without a daily dose of Oprah? I can't!<br /><br />Erica Jong has written a piece on the “Oprah” book and I want to share it because it’s exactly how I feel about Kelley’s latest book. By the way, years ago I interviewed Jong, author of “Fear of Flying,” and many other books. She is a delightful person, warm and extremely funny. Here’s the link: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/oprah-kitty-and-me_b_536548.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/oprah-kitty-and-me_b_536548.html</a>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118281228817583612.post-15931019911507735992010-04-19T23:11:00.000-07:002010-04-19T23:15:29.950-07:00A Runaway Success<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S81GdT0KGYI/AAAAAAAAASs/LSD0f_YEYus/s1600/Jack.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462099392419469698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yq9Nib-rBRM/S81GdT0KGYI/AAAAAAAAASs/LSD0f_YEYus/s320/Jack.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Congratulations to Jackson Kee Maxwell, my grandson, for running 13 laps at Robinson Elementary School’s 7th annual Jog-A-Thon on April 16. The fabulous fifth grader raised $259 for his school. For his fundraising efforts and fast footwork, he will spend an evening at Boomers with the school’s principal, Mr. Snyder. They will arrive by limo. Other prizes, too numerous to mention, were also awarded to Jack. Way to go! </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006152074244069628noreply@blogger.com0